Jul 20, 2017

Behind the Design

Author

Unifying a Nation

It stirs our hearts today, but the Canadian flag was once the source of great debate across the nation. The events that determined the design of this iconic symbol began in 1963 with a Prime Minister’s promise of a flag for Canada—a promise his government could not have met without the foresight of George F.G Stanley.

A veteran of WWII, Lieutenant Colonel George F.G. Stanley was a military historian and Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He had an interest in heraldry and long wished that Canada had its own flag.

The Royal Military College of Canada’s flag was the inspiration for Stanley’s design. From his second floor corner office window of the RMC library building, he often admired this flag as it fluttered in the wind atop the Mackenzie Building across the parade square.

Stanley's Vision

On March 23, 1964 George F.G. Stanley wrote to friend and Member of Parliament John Matheson outlining his ideas for a flag and what it should look like. He noted that it should be simple, not cluttered and easily recognizable at a distance. It should use traditional colours and emblems of Canada, and serve as a rallying symbol and “a unifying force” for the country.

George F.G. Stanley at his desk in 1962. Two years later, he would pen the now historic memorandum outlining his thoughts on why Canada needed a flag and what guidelines should be considered in designing such an important national symbol.

Immediately following the successful vote in the House of Commons, John Matheson sent off a note of congratulations to Stanley on Parliament’s favourable response to his design. Image: Stanley Family. Original Postcard: location unknown (2016).

Designs Aplenty

When the flag debate erupted in 1964, Canada’s all-party parliamentary flag committee was inundated with suggestions from across the country for a new flag. More than 2000 designs were received featuring all manner of symbols, from stripes and stars to Union Jacks, fleur-de-lys, beavers, and maple leafs. Although it was never a formal submission, the “Stanley flag” was added to the Committee’s walls and made it all the way to the final vote—a vote that ultimately resulted in the selection of his design.

Shortly after Parliament Hill raised the first flag on February 15, 1965, Stanley wrote a book for Canadians young and old titled The Story of Canada’s Flag. The book even reached the desk of Prime Minister Pearson, who was “very happy indeed to have a copy.”

At the end of his 1964 memo George wrote, “the flag which would meet most of the requirements mentioned above would be a simple red and white flag bearing a stylized maple leaf on it.” He then took up a red pen and roughly sketched out his idea—a sketch that would become the first-ever illustration of the Canadian flag.

Mixed Reviews

Reception to the new flag was mixed, even in Stanley’s immediate circles. His wife, Ruth, was full of pride for her husband and for Canada, as were his three daughters. Conservative western cousins, however, were certain Stanley’s mother would roll over in her grave. Local teachers asked his daughters, “How could your father have had anything to do with that rag of a flag?” and insisted he had given Canada “a beer label.” But the ultimate criticism came in the form of a death threat on Stanley’s life. The warning read: “You have assassinated our flag. I will assassinate you.” Stanley’s response to all the fuss? “Wait thirty years. By then, everyone will have forgotten and they will wonder what it was all about.”

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George F.G Stanley’s daughter, Dr. Della Stanley, shares the story of Canada’s flag and her father’s role in its design.